A new type of cryptocurrency fraud has emerged in shared vehicles, recently occurring in the Soho area of central London on Old Compton Street, where a 36-year-old American male tourist was attempting to use the Uber app to call a ride to Bethnal Green in East London and encountered a man claiming to be an Uber driver.
Driver Asks About Crypto Wallet
The man claimed to be assigned by Uber and guided the tourist to a black Mercedes sedan nearby. The victim, Seyed, stated that shortly after getting in, the fake driver began chatting and unexpectedly asked if he had any cryptocurrencies.
Although Seyed was initially confused and did not respond directly, he eventually admitted to owning cryptocurrencies. The driver then requested to unlock his phone, claiming to help "verify" Seyed's crypto app. After receiving the phone, the driver quickly changed the login credentials and drove away after forcing Seyed out of the car. Seyed later discovered that approximately $123,000 worth of Bitcoin and Ripple had been transferred from his Exodus wallet, which did not have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled.
Police Have Intervened in Investigation, Victims Urge Increased Vigilance
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed receiving the report and stated that the investigation is ongoing, with no suspects arrested yet. Seyed expressed regret for not enabling two-factor authentication and easily handing his phone to a stranger. He mentioned that he might have been less vigilant due to alcohol consumption and hopes to warn other cryptocurrency holders, especially those traveling in London, to be extremely cautious and prevent similar fraud and theft methods.
This incident highlights that cryptocurrency holders are becoming targets of fraud, with criminals no longer limiting themselves to online hacking or phishing, but extending to real-life contact crimes. They are exploiting the convenience of ride-sharing services and passenger trust as a new modus operandi.
New Challenges in Physical Asset Security
This case of a fake Uber driver stealing cryptocurrencies in London once again sounds an alarm for all digital asset holders, especially since many people use mobile apps to store cryptocurrencies without additional security authentication. In the past, to promote wallets and reduce registration barriers, many providers chose not to require users to add 2FA, backup seed phrases, or password-protect seed phrases, which creates opportunities for criminals.
Recent crypto crimes are showing a trend towards physical crimes. France has experienced multiple kidnapping cases, including those involving industry celebrities like the Ledger founder, indicating that declaring cryptocurrency ownership has become a physical threat in some regions. Block Tempo reminds readers that criminal methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated and diverse. While enjoying the potential convenience and benefits of cryptocurrencies, users must always prioritize asset security, continuously learn and update security knowledge, adopt multi-layered and comprehensive protective measures, and maintain a low profile without boasting online to effectively prevent potential risks and protect their digital wealth.
